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Italian FA chief condemns attack

The president of the Italian Football Association (FIGC) has sent a letter of apology to FA chairman David Bernstein following a "disgraceful attack" on Tottenham fans in Rome.

Two men have been charged with attempted murder after 50 masked thugs launched an assault on Spurs fans at a bar in Campo dei Fiori in central Rome at 1am on Thursday. Ashley Mills, 25, was stabbed in the leg and head, with at least 10 other fans and bystanders injured, and now FIGC president Giancarlo Abete has expressed his firm condemnation of violence widely reported to be motivated by anti-semitism.

"Once again, football has given a handful of delinquents the excuse to take out their racist and anti-semite anger," an FIGC statement read.

"There is evidence of this undoubted motive, which is detrimental to the image of Italian football and doesn't match with the traditional hospitality and welcome of the city of Rome.

"The city authorities and I publicly express our firm condemnation, with my personal indignation at these events.

"I beg you to send our apologies to all Tottenham's fans - and in particular to those families directly involved. I will personally follow the investigation's development and remain at your disposal should my assistance in any further matters be required."

Mills was enjoying a drink with fellow Tottenham fans at 'The Drunken Ship' in central Rome before falling victim to what officials have called a targeted and planned assault. The 25-year-old was stabbed as the hooligans - known as Ultras - stormed the pub, with a bystander stemming the bleeding before paramedics arrived and helped to save him.

Mills, who is being treated at the Eternal City's San Camillo Hospital told London's Evening Standard: "They came out of nowhere. I didn't see the guy who stabbed me. There were too many of them."

A Tottenham club spokesman released a statement on Mills' recovery and promised the club would remain in contact with the family.

"Mr Mills remains in a serious but not life threatening condition in hospital after suffering a ruptured artery in his upper thigh as a direct result of a wound sustained in an attack in the early hours of Thursday morning in Rome," said the statement. "Mr Mills is the only one of our supporters that remains hospitalised in Rome following this incident. The club remains in contact with his family and we shall offer updates as and when it is appropriate to do so. The family requests that their privacy is respected at this time. Everyone at the football club wishes Mr Mills a speedy recovery."

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